Description

Little Mango in a Big World
by Teresa Janzen
Illustrated by Samuel But Agot
2022 Golden Scroll Children’s Book of the Year

Maggie Mango is happy in her mango tree home until one day everything changes, and she finds herself in the world too soon. Like millions of children around the world, Maggie is misunderstood because of her circumstances. When a kind stranger reveals her potential, she learns she was made for great things.

A portion of the proceeds from this book is donated to projects changing the lives of vulnerable children in communities around the world.

No official statistic reveals the number of displaced children in the world today. Sources within the United Nations estimate up to 150 million children are living on the streets in urban settings—some with their families and many without. Other children are displaced to settlements and camps by war, natural disasters, and political or economic insecurity.

Maggie Mango represents the millions of displaced and vulnerable children around the world. As others begin to view Maggie in the light of her circumstances, she too starts to believe she is worthless and hopeless. When a kind man recognizes Maggie’s potential and provides the basic care she needs, Maggie finds the courage and strength to become more than she ever imagined.

The kind man in this story represents the ministries and organizations helping children realize their potential, regardless of their circumstances. A portion of the proceeds from this book is donated to projects changing the lives of vulnerable children in communities around the world.

Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 32
Publication Date: To be released May 10, 2022

Author Bio: 
Teresa Janzen, M.Ed., empowers the weary, worried, and wounded to experience God’s radical abundance in work, life, and relationships. She is an international speaker, author, coach, and host of the Radical Abundance podcast. More than twenty years of experience in leadership and global ministry compels her to share inspiring stories with wit and insight.

Teresa is a Board-Certified Christian Master Mental Health Coach (BCCMMHC) and member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is a train-the-trainer for trauma healing, an oral Bible study trainer, and an adjunct professor at Nile Theological College. Teresa and her husband, Dan, serve as missionaries with ACROSS in South Sudan.

Illustrator Bio:
Eighteen-year-old Samuel But Agot of South Sudan is the second born of six children raised in a refugee settlement in Uganda. He is grateful to be in a Christian family that values education. Samuel graduated from secondary school in 2021, and he plans to continue his education in pursuit of art and media. Samuel hopes to open his own business where he can utilize his talent to bring beauty and hope to the world.

Amazon Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A children’s book with a grown-up message

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022

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Little Story with a Big Heart

I bought Little Mango in a Big World on Amazon recently—always looking for books for littles. And when it includes a budding illustrator and serves a larger purpose, into the cart it goes.

I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. A good story, a clever idea, succinctly told and accurately illustrated. Maggie the Mango’s rescue by a kind stranger from certain death in a hostile world. A delightful tale, ending with kid-friendly Reflection Questions and Fun Facts.

I loved the purpose of the book: raising awareness on the plight of millions of displaced, vulnerable street children in the world. Not just a project, but a redemptive collaboration between author and illustrator. The illustrator was himself a displaced child, growing up in a refugee camp.

Kudos to author Teresa Janzen and artist Samuel But Agot. I’ll not look at mango trees the same again!

Get your mango on!

5.0 out of 5 stars An African tale that appeals to children.

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2022

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This book makes a great gift for a child. It tells the story of a mango that falls from the tree prematurely and has one bite taken out of it by an animal, finds it too sour, and left it to rot. A kind man from the village sees the lonely mango who thinks he doesn’t have a purpose, picks it up and plants it. The mango sprouts, grows to be a great tree and reproduces.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful little book with a Life Blessing.

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2022

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This is a wonderful story about how life can be hard as a young person and can feel like one’s worth it’s nothing. But with the right loving care, the little persons life can be changed into many gifts unknown through one little seed.
It relates not only to little ones 3 or 4 years old and up, but to EVERYONE who has been hurt in life, to see that there is still a great potential in us, waiting to be released. A powerful message.

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasured story for children who desperately need hope!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2022

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This book is a treasure for any child to read and begin to see how the world can be hard, but, they have value and worth, and Jesus helps them realize their worth and potential no matter what happens in their world. I love the questions and facts in the back of the book for parents to share to engage their minds, talk about it, and also learn facts. Praying for 150 million and how many other children who desperately need to hear this message.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great message within the book.

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2022

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My grandsons actually sat still and listened to the whole book!
They wanted to be like the children in the book that were taught how to plant the mango seeds and care for the young trees.

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, child-friendly handling of a difficult problem

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022

This book uses the analogy of a little mango to share the difficult story of child displacement at a level kids can connect with. It leaves the reader with a sense of hope and an understanding of how God is the one who ultimately gives us our identity and hope. Simple, colorful, eye-catching illustrations make the story and little “Maggie Mango” come alive.